Varnville man arrested in Stanley Loop Road murder case

A Varnville man has been arrested in the April 18 murder of a 29-year-old man.

The Hampton County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team and other officers conducted a search and arrest warrant operation on Pepper Street in Varnville, where they took 23-year-old Douglas Collins, Jr. into custody without incident and charged him with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Investigators say on April 18, 2017, Collins allegedly entered the home of Christoper Michael Stanley and murdered him. He was found dead inside his home on Stanley Loop Road. A second victim, 30-year-old Kyle Stanley, also of Stanley Look Road, was found outside the of the residence and transported to a regional hospital for injuries he received in the shooting.

Collins was arraigned on July 12 at the Hampton County Magistrate Office. A bond hearing will be scheduled through the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit System.

This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hampton County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 803.914.2200, HCSO Tip Line at 866.942.1120, or email at sheriffcrimewatch@hamptoncountysc.org. Callers may remain anonymous.